Method of and device for fabricating y-fittings



July 1, 1969 w. E. WILSON 3,452,576

' METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR FABRICATING YFITTINGS Filed Nov. 21, 1966 Y INVENTOR. WILL/4M & M46011 cli a United States Patent US. Cl. 72-318 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Methods and apparatus for forming fittings having multiple outlets. The method includes the step of collapsing opposite side walls of one end of a tubular member to gether to form multiple outlets in that end, and, while the side walls are being collapsed, expanding diametrically opposite sides of each outlet toward its final shape. The apparatus includes opposed forming members which are spaced apart and which have adjacently disposed sides converging to provide a V-shaped slot therebetween. The apparatus further includes a pair of swaging posts disposed on opposed sides of the forming members at the vertex of the V-shapcd slot.

This invention relates to a new and improved method of forming a dual outlet fitting for soldered connections and the like and the tool used in carrying out same.

The present application discloses a new and unique method of forming, in a single operation, copper or other formable tubular members unto a dual connection by reshaping one end to include two outlets. The double outlet end is swaged in a simple operation and does not require the use of expensive matching dies or the like. It is principally a fitting for soldered connections and wherein the solder applied assures the complete separation of the dual outlet ends.

The tool for carrying out the forming method includes bifurcated means for partially flattening the sides of a tubular piece together and swaging posts for forming the separate outlet ends.

Numerous advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, and from the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fitting formed in the practice of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the basic forming tool used;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a piece of tub ing being brought into engagement with the forming tool;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation showing how the tube is deformed and the openings are swaged in the tool;

FIGURE 5 is another side elevational view showing more clearly how the tube is deformed and the dual openings are swaged;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken in the plane of line 6-6 of the last mentioned drawing figure and centrally through the fitting and tool to show the separation formed between the two outlet openings of the fitting;

FIGURE 7 is a cross section taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a top plane view of another tool for practicing the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the tool of the last mentioned drawing figure and which is equally capable b fforming the Y fitting shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, one form of tool for practicing this invention includes a member 10 formed as shown best in FIGURE 2, of steel, or the like. It includes a circular base part and has mounted "ice thereon a pair of anvils 11 and 12, each of which is of narrow cross-section and has the face thereof inclined as at 13 and 14, and so arranged in opposed relationship to form a Y slot with the bottom or vertex of same being open to form a space 15. Positioned on opposite sides of anvils 11 and 12, and in alignment with the open space 15, are a pair of opposed swages or parts 16 and 17.

A piece of copper tubing 20 of a predetermined size is cut to the desired length for forming the finished product. Member 21, shown in FIGURE 6, is inserted within the top end of tubing 20, for easier handling of the small tubing piece and for a purpose later to be described.

Another form of tool for practicing this invention is shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 to include a base member 25 having formed thereon ears or opposed brackets 26 and 27 which are adapted to rotatably support a pair of roller members 28 and 29 that are relatively aligned and spaced apart. The top portion of the base 25 has mounted centrally thereon a pair of opposed swages or parts 30 and 31 similar to those of the other tool mentioned and aligned on opposite sides of the space between the two rollers.

The method of carrying out the invention is as follows:

Considering first the more simple tool of drawings 1-7, the first step is to cut the tubing 20, which is to be formed, into the desired lengths such as shown in FIGURE 3. The tool base 10, on which are mounted the opposed anvil members 11, 12 and posts 16, 17, is then secured within the jaws of a vise or fastened in a jig fixture on a press platform or the like so that the base will remain fixed and stationary during the forming step to follow.

The member 21 is inserted into one end of tube 20, as in FIGURE 6, and the free end of the tube holding member part 21 is then clamped into the spindle holder in a press or the like with the tube to be formed vertically aligned over the forming tool.

The piece of tubing to be formed is then brought down between and into engagement with the opposed anvil members 11 and 12. As the tube descends, the lower open end first contacts the inclined opposed faces 13, 14 of the anvils, FIGURES 1 and 2, centrally and on opposite sides of the tubing. As the tube 20 is forced between the anvil faces, opposite tube walls are pressed inwardly by the inclined walls of the anvils and pinched or creased until the lower end of the pinched tube enters the vertex opening 15, formed by the V slot. This forces the tube walls into contact with each other to provide the necessary separation wall and also divides the tube, at such end, into two equal segments.

Just prior to the lower end of the tubing piece 20 entering the space 15, the partially constricted tube wall members contact and receive therein the diametrically opposed swaging posts 16, 17, which are located on opposite sides and somewhat below the inclined faces of the anvils. Further movement causes the openings 37 and 38 to be formed in the fitting by opening and expanding the two tube segments formed. This is all essentially a one-step operation.

By the time the ends 36 of the fitting enter space 15, the two outlets 37, 38 are partially formed and they are completely formed, as shown in FIGURE 1, as the tube is finally pressed upon the tool. The fitting 35, as completely formed, is then removed from the tool 10 by retracting the holder member 21 engaged in the single opening end of the tube.

With the tool shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, an alternate method is disclosed for forming the dual outlet fitting.

The piece of tubing is held as before, or in any other suitable manner, and brought into contact with the forming rolls or rollers 28 and 29. This causes the tube to be partially flattened or pinched and later forms the dividing wall between the two desired outlet openings.

As the tube is forced down over the swaging posts 30 and 31, the outlets 37 and 38 are formed as before. Once the fitting has been completely formed it is withdrawn from the tool and is ready for use.

No further processing of the fitting 35 is necessary after it has been formed. Inasmuch as the fitting is generally used with tubing having soldered connections, at the time of installation the solder will fill in at the collapsed point to provide a sealed joint. The collapsed section thus needs no soldering or welding at the time of forming and a more simple and economically manufactured item is ob tained.

It will be appreciated that either or both ends of a piece of tubing may be swaged to provide dual Openings and that the size of the openings are principally a matter of the size of the swaging posts, with consideration for the elasticity of the tubing material, the initial size, etc.

This is a new and different process for forming a dual outlet fitting for soldered connections. The fitting is quickly formed in one operation by simply forcing a piece of tubing upon a specially designed tool and once the fitting has been formed, no further processing is required. By simply applying solder to the ends of the fitting, in connecting it in a system, the solder fills in at the collapsed points and provides a sealed joint.

While a specific tool and a preferred method of forming have been described and illustrated, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to specific details, but that many changes, variations, steps and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of forming a multiple outlet fitting comprising: collapsing opposite side walls of one end of a tubular member together to form multiple outlets in said one end, and, while said side walls are being collapsed, expanding diametrically opposite sides of each outlet toward its final shape to provide multiple outlets having a dividing wall therebetween.

2. The method of forming a multiple outlet fitting as set forth in claim 1, wherein the opposite side walls of the tubular member are partially collapsed while said diametrically opposite sides of each multiple outlet are held open preceding the expanding thereof to form the multiple outlets.

3. The method of forming a multiple outlet fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein the collapsing pressure is applied centrally with resmct to said opposite side walls.

4. The method of forming a multiple outlet fitting comprising: forcing one end of a tubular member between .4 two closely spaced members to compress the side walls of the tubular member together at said one end to form multiple openings in said one end, holding open diametrically opposite sides of each outlet, and expanding the sides held open in the final compression and collapse of said side walls.

5. A device for forming a dual outlet fitting, comprisa pair of members relatively aligned and spaced and having adjacently disposed sides converging to provide a V slot therebetween,

a pair of swaging posts disposed on opposite sides of said members at the vertex of said V slot,

and means for holding and forcing a tubular member between said aligned and spaced members for compressing the side walls of said tubular member together in said V slot and the ends thereof over said swaging posts.

6. The device of claim 5,

said members including fixed anvils of narrow crosssection for centrally pinching the opposite side walls of said tubular member together, said anvils being spaced apart beyond the vertex of said V slot,

and said swaging posts being extended beyond the vertex of said V slot and tapered to be received in the open end of said tubular member prior to the final joining thereof together.

7. The device of claim 5,

said members including forming rolls having parallel axes and the periphery thereof formed for pinching the opposite side walls of said tubing together centrally thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,417,393 5/1922 Lassiter et al 29-157.6 1,777,728 10/ 1930 Kumpf 72-177 3,136,052 6/1964 Pickart 72367 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,758 8/1897 Great Britain.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

LOWELL A. LARSON, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

